TEMPLE HILLS, Md. — A small but emotional protest formed outside the future site of a medical marijuana dispensary in the Camp Springs/Temple Hills area Saturday.
“We need to say, “No,” and we need to say, “No,” now!” said Pastor Johnathan Allen as he struck a podium with his fist.
Those holding up the signs around him are members of a small congregation called, Connect Church.
Allen tells WUSA 9 the county is turning a blind eye a dispensary owner, who Allen says is breaking the law. The Pastor talking about a newer measure in Prince George’s County that prohibits medical cannabis dispensaries from operating within so many feet of certain establishments (CB-103-2017).
This includes at least a 500 ft. distance from any Day Care Center for Children or Recreational Program.
It’s not clear when it will open but online the medical marijuana dispensary, JOVA Wellness Center, has a storefront address of 5846 Allentown Way in Camp Springs, MD.
Connect Church used to be located next door at 5850 Allentown Way.
Allen tells WUSA 9 they lost their lease and had to move. However the church has been running a summer day camp called Holiday camp just across the street.
This places the dispensary less than 300 ft. away, according to Pastor Allen and fellow church members.
“Part of our concern is the kids, without a doubt," Allen said. "We’ve had three camps of kids in the community now for over 17 years.”
Allen says they’ve brought this grievance to the Prince George's County Department of Permitting, Inspection and Enforcement Director multiple times.
“The county has not stepped up and pulled this permit after we informed them," Allen said. "The other issue that we have now is: the owner of that dispensary lied on an Affidavit saying that we wouldn’t even exist as of January, and we were already still hear in the location."
“One of their attorney’s had the nerve to say that these are ‘pop-up camps.’ Isn’t that what he said?” said Allen turning to his fellow church members, “Pop-up camp! We’ve been here 17 years!”
“I want to be clear, our issue is not with legitimate medical marijuana dispensaries. That’s not the issue,” said Associate Pastor, James Love. “The issue is the community has said they don’t want it here.”
“If they can do this, in this neighborhood, it’s just a matter of time before they put it in your neighborhood," Love added.
WUSA 9 reached out to both the dispensary owner and the PGCDPIE Executive Director for comment.
A previous version of this web story mislabeled Gary Cunningham as the Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspection and Enforcement. Gary Cunningham is the Deputy Director of PGCDPIE. A spokesperson with the department has contacted WUSA9 and will respond when the office reopens from the Christmas/New Year break.